Now the BJP is faced with the same problem with a powerful section in Karnataka out on an 'oust Chief Minister Yeddyurppa' mission. The sad story is that despite getting a foothold in the south for the first time, the BJP is unable to manage the state on account of its own problems. The central leadership is clueless.

The present crisis is mainly due to mismanagement and the clash between Yeddyurappa and the rebels led by the powerful Reddy brothers of Bellary who are ministers in his cabinet. The tussle is for control of the prosperous mineral-rich Bellary region and more clout in the government. The Chief Minister should have taken steps to nip the 'mischief' in the bud. On the contrary, he allowed it to simmer so long that his own position has become shaky. The Reddy brothers have acquired clout because of their ability to fund several legislators during the elections who owe their loyalty to them and not to the party. The dissidents are attacking the Chief Minister and his close associate, Panchayat Raj Minister Shoba Karandlaje for interference in other ministries. It reminds one of former U.P chief minister Kalyan Singh and the alleged influence of Kusum Rai, his close associate.

The crisis in Karnataka is also due to the rivalry between the BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar and Yeddyurappa. In the Brahmin-Lingayat power struggle, it was Lingayat leader Yeddyurappa who won the battle. The party decided to keep Ananth Kumar at the centre leaving the state to the Chief Minister. With the loyalists accusing Ananth Kumar of engineering the present revolt in the cabinet, apparently this formula has not worked well.

One of the reasons for the delay in resolving the present crisis is that the BJP's central leadership is weak. Party chief Rajnath Singh is a lame-duck president and is on his way out. Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani is not as strong as he used to be. Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is out of the political scene. The second-rung leadership is fighting for the cake. In such a situation, the state legislators are not ready to listen to the central leaders.

Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy, has also emerged as a key player if one goes by the rumours. Insiders say that Jagan, who is the business partner of the Reddy brothers, has a lot of influence with them and is keen to destabilize the Yeddyurappa government.

The first priority for the BJP is to save the government. So the crisis has to be resolved with a give-and-take attitude. The new formula should include preventing Anant Kumar from meddling in the state affairs. Using the influence of Sushma Swaraj with the Reddy brothers may keep them under check. Sushma has been nursing Bellary since she fought elections and lost from there. Clipping the wings of the Panchayat Raj Minister Shoba Karandlaje may mollify the dissidents. The Chief Minister should undertake a cabinet reshuffle to maintain a balance and also address the concerns of the rebels. The Reddy brothers should be mollified and Yeddyurappa should do everything in his power to restore the balance. The Speaker, Jagdish Shettar, who is emerging as a nodal point for the dissidents should be given a ministry of his choice so that the dissidents feel satisfied. The problem for the BJP is that he too is a Lingayat, the same caste as the Chief Minister. In short the Chief Minister should take everyone along if he wants to rule.

The other players like the Congress and the JD (S) led by the former Prime Minister Deve Gowda are watching the fun. While Deve Gowda tried to fish in troubled waters and failed, the Congress wants to show that the BJP is unable to provide a stable government. Right now what Karnataka needs is to ensure succour to the flood-affected. Governance has also been hit during the past few months owing to the simmering revolt within the cabinet. It would suit the Congress to tell the people that the Congress alone could provide a stable government. It would also suit the Congress if the government collapses and President's rule is imposed. To that extent, the Congress would like the Reddy brothers to succeed. Is the BJP ready to face such a situation? (IPA Service)